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Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

Minister for Defence

Minister Reynolds was sworn in as the Minister for Defence on 29 May 2019. Minister Reynolds served for 29 years in the Australian Army as a Reserve Officer in a wide range of part and full time appointments. She was the first woman in the Australian Army Reserves to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier and was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross. Minister Reynolds was elected to the Australian Senate in 2014 and again in 2019.

Portfolio responsibilities

  • Oversight of all aspects of the Defence portfolio
  • Defence Budget
  • Defence Reform and Enterprise Management
  • Strategic Policy
  • International Policy and Engagement
  • Intelligence
  • Australian Signals Directorate
  • ADF Operations
  • Defence Planning Guidance
  • The Integrated Investment Program
  • Force Structure Review
  • Development of capability requirements
  • Capability/cost trade off during capability lifecycle
  • People, Equipment and Readiness
  • Force Posture, including USFPI and ASMTI
  • Science and Technology policy and support to capability and operations
  • Defence Security and Vetting Policy
  • Estate and Infrastructure Policy
  • Defence Information and Communication Technology

Biography | Media releases | Speeches | Statements | Transcripts
The Hon Darren Chester MP

The Hon Darren Chester MP

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel

Minister Chester was sworn in for a second term as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister for Defence Personnel on 29 May 2019, with the portfolio being elevated to Cabinet on 6 February 2020. In his previous term, Minister Chester also served as the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac. In February 2016, Minister Chester was appointed to Cabinet as the Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. He served for three months on the backbench from December 2017 to February 2018. Minister Chester is the member for Gippsland, Victoria, and was first elected to Federal Parliament on June 26, 2008.

Portfolio responsibilities

  • Personnel policy and support
  • Veterans policy and support
  • Defence Health Services
  • Military justice
  • Honours and Awards
  • Army, Navy and Air Force Cadets
  • Parliamentary Exchange Program
  • Transition from ADF
  • Defence Housing Australia
  • International engagement on veterans and defence personnel matters
  • Defence's response to perfluorinated chemicals matters

Biography | Media releases | Speeches | Statements | Transcripts
Alex Hawke

The Hon Alex Hawke MP

Assistant Defence Minister,
Minister for International Development and the Pacific

Minister Hawke was sworn in as the Assistant Defence Minister on 29 May 2019. He was elected at the 2007 election as the Federal Member for Mitchell, an electorate centred on the Hills Shire in Northwest Sydney. In September 2015, Minister Hawke was appointed as the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer. Following the 2016 Federal Election Minister Hawke was appointed the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Due to the establishment of the Home Affairs Portfolio in late 2017, Minister Hawke was appointed the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs. On 27 August 2018, he was officially sworn in as the Special Minister of State. Minister Hawke served as an Army Reserve Officer in the Royal Australian Armoured Corps from 1995 to 2000.

Portfolio responsibilities

  • Support the Minister for Defence with Defence's contribution to the Australian Government's Indo-Pacific Step-Up, including:
    • Capacity building in the Pacific
    • Delivery of key infrastructure projects in the Pacific
    • Pacific Maritime Security Program and acquisition of the Large Hulled Vessel
    • Pacific Support Team
    • Defence engagement activities in the Pacific, including training and sporting relationships
    • Defence fora in the Pacific, including the Annual Joint Heads of Pacific security event
    • Defence commemorations across the Pacific

Biography | Media releases | Speeches | Statements | Transcripts
The Hon Melissa Price MP

The Hon Melissa Price MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister Price was sworn in as the Minister for Defence Industry on 29 May 2019. First elected to the Australian Parliament in 2013 as the Member for Durack – the largest electorate in Australia. Minister Price has previously served in the Environment portfolio and has held a number of Parliamentary Committee roles including the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. A lawyer by profession, Minister Price brings over 20 years of experience in the private sector from a variety of commercial and legal roles. She has also supported the community through working with the not-for-profit sector.

Portfolio responsibilities

  • Support the Minister for Defence in the management of capability acquisition and sustainment projects
  • Australian Industry Capability Program
  • Australian defence industry development
  • Defence Exports
  • Global supply chains
  • Equipment disposals
  • Centre for Defence Industry Capability
  • Defence Innovation Hub
  • Science and Technology engagement with Australian industry, including the Next Generation Technology Fund
  • Test and evaluation policy and procedures
  • International engagement on defence industry matters
  • Estate and Infrastructure management and delivery

Biography | Media releases | Speeches | Statements | Transcripts

Latest media releases

Australia's cyber security resilience boosted with the release of new Cloud Security Guidance

27 July 2020

Joint media release

  • More defence industry jobs for SA in new RAAF contract

    27 July 2020
  • First keel laying of the new Navy Patrol Boats

    24 July 2020
  • First keel laying of the new Navy Patrol Boats

    24 July 2020

View more media releases

Latest speeches

USAsia Pacific Centre

6 July 2020

***E&OE Check against delivery***

  • Speech - Australian Strategic Policy Institute

    2 July 2020
  • Guardian-class Patrol Boat handover ceremony – RFNS Savenaca

    6 March 2020
  • Provisional acceptance of Nuship Sydney

    28 February 2020

View more speeches

Latest statements

Joint Statement - Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2020

29 July 2020

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper hosted Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Linda...

  • Defence in space: securing the new frontier

    28 July 2020
  • Joint statement - AUSMIN 2020: Australia's enduring ties with the US are a strong union of shared values

    26 July 2020
  • Joint statement - Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2020 in Washington DC

    25 July 2020

View more statements

Latest transcripts

Interview with Peter Gleeson, Sky News Across Australia

6 July 2020

Interview with Peter Gleeson, Sky News Across Australia

  • Australian Strategic Policy Institute - Q&A, Defence Strategic Update

    3 July 2020
  • Interview with Mix 104.9 Darwin on the Northern Territory

    3 July 2020
  • Interview with Patricia Karvelas, RN Drive

    2 July 2020

View more transcripts

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